The pivotal role of the surgical oncologist in the improvement of cancer outcome
Citation: European Journal of Cancer Supplements, Vol 5 No 4, Page 33
C. van de Velde
Leiden University Medical Centre, Afdeling Chirurgie, Leiden, The Netherlands

Translational cancer research holds the promise to realize a paradigm shift in medical technology and its therapeutic applications and effects. Biomarkers can lead to better stratification of the patient and the tumor with respect to e.g. metastatic behaviour leading to personalized treatments: the extent of surgical resection and the use of additional treatments. These approaches will lead to more effective treatments and therefore more cures of our future patients. Surgeons play an important role in tumor/serum banking to make this translation possible. The multidisciplinary approach mandates the Commitment, Competence and Continuity of the surgical oncologist but unlike the other team members the amount of skills can make a major difference for the individual patient. Recent developments in Quality Assurance both in clinical trials as well of by auditing processes have made improvements that have a greater impact on survival than that of any of the adjuvant therapies currently under study. Several examples in gastric, colorectal and breast cancer will be given showing the immediate advantage for the patient being part of such a programme. Quality improvement not only translates into better loco-regional control but also in close cooperation with the diagnostic modalities (radiology/pathology) improves organ preservation and quality of life. Further and direct measurable improvements can be made by (inter)national outcome-based quality improvements: one of the coordinating tasks of the European Society of Surgical Oncology. Improvements should be made in analyses identifying best practices and broad implementation of these. Technological innovations are rapidly integrated leading to a continuous adaptation of these. Our future surgical oncologists will be leaders in multidisciplinary care and certainly not any more the ones who will treat first but have a duty in quality control and assurance.

FECS Presdident, Prof. John Smyth, congratulates Prof. Cornelis Van De Velde, awardee of the FECS Clinical Research Award

Prof. Cornelis Van De Velde

Prof. Cornelis Van De Velde and Prof. John Smyth, President of FECS